This page contains information you may find useful as you design and create jewelry of
your own. We are always looking for additional information to include here. If
you have anything you want to contribute, please contact us via email.

Necklaces shorter than 24 inches
should be made with a clasp. Necklace length generally
varies with different age groups. Younger people tend to like things
smaller and tighter while the preferred jewelry length seems to
increase with your customers age.

Extensions can be made using a
short piece of sterling silver or gold filled chain.

If you need to calculate how many seed beads you need for a
project here is an approximation of how many beads are in each gram of seed
beads by the size and shape of the bead. Our 6" tubes hold 22-28
grams of beads depending on the shape of the bead and it's color. The
3" tubes used for delicas and other more expensive beads hold 10-13 grams.

Crimp beads come in two basic styles. You'll find round
crimp beads and tube crimp beads. Each of these styles comes in a variety
of sizes. I've pictured an assortment of crimp beads below for
comparison. When properly applied, both round and tube crimps hold
well. The main differences are in how they look and what tools are
required to apply them.

Moving clockwise starting at the 12 o'clock position is a
2x2 sterling tube crimp, next is the #1 Beadalon gold plated round crimp,
a 3x3mm sterling tube crimp, a 2x3mm long sterling crimp tube, #2 Beadalon
crimps, and in the middle are micro crimp tubes.

Tube crimps are applied using a crimping pliers while the
round ones can be applied by "smushing" them with a regular
needle nose pliers. There are 3 sizes of crimp pliers, Regular Crimper,
Micro-Crimper, and Mighty Crimper. The 2x2mm or 2x3mm tube crimps are
applied with the regular size crimper while the micro crimps require the
smaller jaws of the micro crimper, and the mighty crimper is used on 3x3
or larger crimps and it can also be used on the crimp cover beads or the
fold over clamp ends used to connect ribbon or suede to a clasp.

Some people apply tube crimps with a needle nose but this
is considered an amateur method, it tends to cut the outer nylon coating
on the bead wire which weakens it. Flat smashed tube crimps also tend to
catch on clothing. If you want a professional look, you need to learn to
apply the tube crimps with crimping pliers.

Tube crimps produce more professional results like a
jeweler would require. The round crimps are easier to apply and you don't
need a special tool. They are pretty fool proof to apply so we often
suggest that you start with these. After you get proficient at finishing
your jewelry you can get a crimp pliers and use the tube crimps.

CRIMPING
ANIMATION

Thanks to W. Scott Bartky, the inventor of the
original patented bead crimping pliers,
for giving us permission to use this animation.

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We carry a great selection of beads including: Swarovski crystals, glass beads from the Czech Republic, Japanese Miyuki seed beads,
turquoise and coral, gemstone beads, gold fill, copper, sterling silver and plated findings, Beadalon and Soft Flex bead wire, and a selection of jewelry tools and beading supplies.
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